Commands

"Stand By" / "Are You Ready?" (Race Call)
Paddles resting on the gunnels in a relaxed position, with the blade of the paddle perpendicular to the water and pointing 90 degrees to the side of the boat.

"Paddles Up" / "Attention Please!"
Paddles should be 1-2 inches above the water, ready to take a stroke. (Holding the reach position before catching the water.)

"Take It Away" or "Go" / (Horn)
Commence paddling.

"Easy All" or "Let It Ride"
Paddling stops and the boat coasts to a stop on its own. Paddlers return to a relaxed position, but ready to resume paddling when called.

"Check the Boat"
Bringing the boat to a full stop with the use of the paddles. Drag your paddle vertically down into the water to create resistance to stop the boat.

"Back Paddle"
Paddle backwards slowly.

"Draw" (left or right)
Used to move the boat sideways. Reach out sideways and pull water toward the boat.

"Paddles on the Water" or "Brace the Boat"
Stabilize the boat by putting your paddle out to the side with the blade resting on top of the water.

"Push off"
Used to move the boat away from an object, usually the dock. Don't push off with your paddle.

"Ready For Long?"
Entire boat responds "Ready!" and the crew follows the lead strokers to get in sync by reaching out further and pulling longer strokes. Typically it will take 1-3 strokes to adjust, or the caller will count, "In 3-2-1" for the transition to start.

"Power (#)!"
Entire boat responds "Ready!" and the crew follows the lead strokers to give the called number of powerful long pulls (typically 5, 10 or 20, but could be any number the caller feels is necessary). The stroke and the stroke rate remain the same, but the pull requires 100% effort. Typically the caller will count, "In 3-2-1" for the power strokes to start.

Common Incorrect Dragon Boat Terminology [Rowing] - You do not row a dragon boat! Dragon boats are paddled and the people who participate in the sport are called paddlers.

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